diff --git a/src/monattack.cpp b/src/monattack.cpp
index f2013a3e8ed88..7460c6bdc86d2 100644
--- a/src/monattack.cpp
+++ b/src/monattack.cpp
@@ -1427,20 +1427,15 @@ bool mattack::grow_vine( monster *z )
         }
     }
     z->moves -= 100;
-    int xshift = rng( 0, 2 );
-    int yshift = rng( 0, 2 );
-    for( int x = 0; x < 3; x++ ) {
-        for( int y = 0; y < 3; y++ ) {
-            tripoint dest( z->posx() + ( x + xshift ) % 3 - 1,
-                           z->posy() + ( y + yshift ) % 3 - 1,
-                           z->posz() );
-            if( !g->is_empty( dest ) ) {
-                continue;
-            }
+    for( const tripoint &dest : g->m.points_in_radius( z->pos(), 1 ) ) {
+        if( dest == z->pos() || !g->is_empty( dest ) ) {
+            continue;
+        }
 
-            if( monster *const vine = g->summon_mon( mon_creeper_vine, dest ) ) {
-                vine->make_ally( *z );
-            }
+        if( monster *const vine = g->summon_mon( mon_creeper_vine, dest ) ) {
+            vine->make_ally( *z );
+            // Store position of parent hub in vine goal point.
+            vine->set_goal( z->pos() );
         }
     }
 
@@ -1451,6 +1446,12 @@ bool mattack::vine( monster *z )
 {
     std::vector<tripoint> grow;
     int vine_neighbors = 0;
+    bool parent_out_of_range = !g->m.inbounds( z->move_target() );
+    monster *parent = g->critter_at<monster>( z->move_target() );
+    if( !parent_out_of_range && ( parent == nullptr || parent->type->id != mon_creeper_hub ) ) {
+        // TODO: Should probably die instead.
+        return true;
+    }
     z->moves -= 100;
     for( const tripoint &dest : g->m.points_in_radius( z->pos(), 1 ) ) {
         Creature *critter = g->critter_at( dest );
@@ -1467,9 +1468,8 @@ bool mattack::vine( monster *z )
                                             z->name(),
                                             body_part_name_accusative( bphit ) );
             damage_instance d;
-            // TODO: Buff it to more "modern" numbers - 4+4 is nothing
-            d.add_damage( DT_CUT, 4 );
-            d.add_damage( DT_BASH, 4 );
+            d.add_damage( DT_CUT, 8 );
+            d.add_damage( DT_BASH, 8 );
             critter->deal_damage( z, bphit, d );
             critter->check_dead_state();
             z->moves -= 100;
@@ -1485,23 +1485,17 @@ bool mattack::vine( monster *z )
         }
     }
     // Calculate distance from nearest hub
-    int dist_from_hub = 999;
-    for( monster &critter : g->all_monsters() ) {
-        if( critter.type->id == mon_creeper_hub ) {
-            int dist = rl_dist( z->pos(), critter.pos() );
-            if( dist < dist_from_hub ) {
-                dist_from_hub = dist;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    if( grow.empty() || vine_neighbors > 5 || one_in( 7 - vine_neighbors ) ||
-        !one_in( dist_from_hub ) ) {
+    int dist_from_hub = rl_dist( z->pos(), z->move_target() );
+    if( grow.empty() || dist_from_hub > 20 || vine_neighbors > 5 ||
+        one_in( 7 - vine_neighbors ) || !one_in( dist_from_hub ) ) {
         return true;
     }
     const tripoint target = random_entry( grow );
     if( monster *const vine = g->summon_mon( mon_creeper_vine, target ) ) {
         vine->make_ally( *z );
         vine->reset_special( "VINE" );
+        // Store position of parent hub in vine goal point.
+        vine->set_goal( z->move_target() );
     }
 
     return true;